Basketball news: Beermen bounce back, TNT takes 2-0 lead in PBA play-offs

By Paolo Castro

The San Miguel Beermen bounced back from a Game 1 setback while TNT Tropang 5G took a commanding 2-0 lead in their respective best-of-seven semifinal series in the Philippine Cup on Friday night.

Injured Junemar Fajardo plays limited minutes

With Junemar Fajardo unable to play his usual game due to a calf injury, the Beermen relied on their deep bench to take an early lead they never relinquished for a 100-83 win and a 1-1 tie in their series against Barangay Ginebra.

After losing Game 1 to the Kings despite an 18-point lead, San Miguel this time made sure it would go all the way with the victory with six players scoring in double figures.

Marcio Lassiter typified San Miguel’s high octane offense to finish with 16 points while Don Trollano and Kris Rosales chipped in 14 and 13 points respectively.

CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz had 11 points each, including timely baskets as Ginebra was trying to start a rally.

Mo Tautuaa, who started in place of Fajardo, added ten points.

Fajardo played just 17 minutes and could only muster two points, two assists and seven rebounds.

Reports said the injury to his calf was not severe but he was advised by doctors to take a rest. 

Fajardo, however, still opted to play even in limited minutes to help his team tie the series.

Stephen Holt led Ginebra with 17 points but got little support from the other starters.

Ginebra is expected to come up with some adjustments on defense in Game 3  as the Beermen became less predictable on offense with Fajardo not the focus of their plays.

Japeth Aguilar (five points) and Scottie Thompson (nine points) are also expected to bounce back after not getting their usual numbers in the match.

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TNT seize 2-0 advantage with overtime win

Meanwhile, TNT continued its mastery of Rain or Shine with a 113-105 victory in Game 2 of their own semifinal series.

Calvin Oftana was the hero for the Tropang 5G as he scored the game-tying free throws in regulation with 7.7 seconds left to force overtime.

He was also on target in the extra period, scoring on timely baskets to stave off the Elasto Painters for a 2-0 advantage heading into Game 3 on Sunday.

Oftana, who stepped up after Roger Pogoy’s suspected groin injury in the second quarter, finished with a game-high 39 points.

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